Latini kicked off their Cosmo campaign with a solid 4-2 win versus Casuals. It didn’t get off to the start we had hoped for when a long ball and a very neat lobbed finish made the score 1-nil to Casuals inside the 1st 10mins. Latini turned the game around with a goal either side of half time. New signing Rory got us off the mark with a tidy finish after latching onto his own through ball… Then Pet Shop tucked home a penalty after Lego was tripped up in the box. Casuals looked to have spoiled the opening day party with an equalizer from a set piece with 10 mins on the clock. It was However, Latini’s bench strength, fitness and heart which enabled us to regain the lead when Naughton finished well after penalty box melee. A finish almost warranting the CR7 celebration! Rory doubled his tally late on via the penalty spot to wrap up the victory after Max was bundled over in the box. Thanks to Casuals for a competitive game, Nippon up next under the Friday Night Lights (FNL) MOM Latini: - Rory on debut with 2 goals MOM Casuals: - Young Lad Up Top, took his goal well Kit: - Pep
All the hard work in preseason was done, the overseas training camp in the notorious tough conditions of Ho Chi Minh had put the team in good shape for the season. Few changes at the Casuals with Will Patz being sacked for never actually being at games and Frazer Young being bullied in to doing it. Worryingly, the morning of the game started with a few drop outs and half time leavers so it was going to be a tough day against a decent Latini side. Similar to last year the gaffer wasn’t around so ex gaffer Willy stepped up in what appeared to be guilt from last year, anyhow his speech was rousing! The new boys were pumped, we were ready to unleash fire and fury! Game started well for Casuals, keeping the ball and moving it around nicely without making too many opportunities. Latini were restricted to long balls and hoofs up the field and the new backline were cleaning up with ease. Dynosaur and Oli were doing well up top, movement was good and they always offered and Ali was working hard on the right. First goal came when Oli got 1v1 with his CB and Andy spotted his run and lumped it around the CB for Oli to lift over the GK for a debut goal! A great goal and only bettered by his Mum stitching his name on his boots in case he loses them…naaaaaw. Latini were probing but not the fluid passing style of old, the new las in the middle was a good player and was clearly the danger man in more than one sense. A ridiculous challenge / GBH / UFC style whack to the back of Will was a clear red which most assumed was coming however Brad had other ideas and deemed a yellow sufficient, Luckily Will is incredibly strong and muscular so after a few rolls on the floor he was up and ready to go again…needless to say though but that same lad went on to score the equaliser. 1-1 at the half. Second half much the same although a scare at the start with Latini creating an opportunity but the striker with the short hair and headband fluffed his line. Petshop then played a quality ball through from deep and there was a tangle in the box and Brad called for a pen, look more like a tangle but hopefully we will get a soft pen later in the season. Pen converted 1-2. Casuals made some changes and were still good in possession and some nice play down the right drew a foul for a free kick 30 yards out. Dynosaur stepped up and whipped a ball back post for Angry Scott who headed across goal for a great finish! Scott ran off looking like a mental wild animal or like Fraze without food or Steady without his EyePhone…the only thing we could hear from Scott was “F*CK YOU VIETNAM…F*CK YOU”! Scott was happy. The small squad and tired legs were beginning to show for Casuals and unfortunately couldn’t get back in the game with another soft pen going against JC again and a rebound after Silent Kaz was taken out on the line but no foul given. 2-4 full time. Lots of positives for the Casuals against a decent Latini side who will cause a lot of teams problems this year. MOM Latini #4 MOM Casuals: Silent Kaz…who never talks or smiles.